Wrap it up!

by Tendy Kishindo

In the Malawian culture the wrap or chitenje is like lip gloss. You just cannot go anywhere without it. It is the ‘it’ accessory. The older generation will tell you that by social etiquette, it is lady-like to have a “chitenje or nsalu” in your bag at all times.

The chitenje is a very versatile fabric. It is often seen as the perfect traditional gift that husbands give their wives and children, their mothers. Most African men in general agree that the chitenje is an aphrodisiac. The chitenje compliments the woman’s curves especially her behind which has been compared to the beats of a rhythmic African drum. An allusion to the women’s hip sway and bottom shake as they walk. On the flipside, men can also wear the chitenje on very hot days, but this is not always a familiar sight for Malawian men.

For most women, the chitenje is a life saving loose material. If a traditional Malawian woman is not wearing her chitenje then it is probably in her hand bag. It is carried in case of eventualities, such as finding yourself at a funeral, or if you are to sit down in a place with no chairs. In this case with a chitenje in hand, all you need to do is to take it out, and you are covered.

The chitenje apart from being used as a wrap, it can also be used as a sarong. This can be very handy in summer when you literally have less clothing on you. It can also be worn as a halter dress, a boob tube, a wrap skirt, a head wrap and a beach towel. In desperate times, believe it or not the chitenje can be used for sanitary purposes.

On a cold night, the chitenje can be used as a blanket, for that little warmth needed. On a spontaneous romantic act however, the chitenje can be that bed of roses to lie upon or your basic picnic blanket. For the maternally inclined, the chitenje can be cut up into strips and be used as diapers.

Another great thing about the chitenje is on a rainy day and your hair is all done up and you don’t want it to get wet, you can use the chitenje as an umbrella! Although it will not stop you from getting soaked, your hair will have been protected for a few minutes.
We all go through thrift days and creativity becomes the only thing that can rescue us. When this happens, the chitenje can be used as a carrier bag for shopping or as a make shift over-the-shoulder bag.

The chitenje is also a very good marketing or campaigning tool. This can be noted during political rallies, where yards of cloth gets printed sporting the faces or icons of the political leaders. It is more or less like your throw-on t-shirt but more elegant.
However you choose to wear or use your chitenje, one this thing is for sure; you have to get or buy one for the Lake of Stars Music Festival being hosted this year by Sunbird Nkopola Logde from the 15th to 18th October in Mangochi. For the chitenje, the brighter its colors, the better it is your trusted companion for any occasion. Will you be the one to stand out?